Chapter 5 Scandinavian Holy Kings in the Nativity Church of Bethlehem

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, one of Christianity's holiest sites built over the grotto identified as Jesus' birthplace since the fourth century, features the oldest extant images of St. Knud of Denmark and St. Olav of Norway, dating to the 12th-century Crusader period. These paintings, executed in encaustic technique, occupy prominent columns within the church's nave, raising questions about their significance and the patrons behind their creation. The study, based on art historian Gustav Kühnel's seminal work from 1988, examines the context and implications of these Scandinavian royal saints' depiction in such a prestigious setting.

Ekroll, Ø. (2021). Chapter 5 Scandinavian Holy Kings in the Nativity Church of Bethlehem. Tracing the Jerusalem Code, 86–94. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110639438-006